Big change in IPL 2025: tournament to follow ICC rules instead of traditional format

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on March 23, 2025, marking the start of another thrilling edition of the tournament. Preparations for the eagerly awaited season are already in full swing. In an important update the IPL Governing Council has announced that players will now follow the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct during the tournament. This decision was made during a meeting on Sunday where it was also disclosed that the Women's Premier League (WPL) will expand to four cities this season: Lucknow, Mumbai, Baroda and Bengaluru.

According to the new code of conduct, players will face fines for misconduct at three levels. A Level-1 violation will result in a fine of up to 50% of the player’s match fee. A Level-2 violation will lead to a fine ranging from 50% to 100%, while a Level-3 violation could result in a ban of up to 6 Tests or 12 ODI matches. These penalties are in line with the ICC’s established disciplinary standards. Previously the IPL operated under its own playing conditions but now the tournament will align with the ICC’s T20 International Cricket Rules. With these major changes IPL 2025 is poised to offer not only exciting cricket but also a higher standard of professionalism and accountability ushering in a new chapter for the tournament. Fans can look forward to a more organized and disciplined IPL experience making this season even more captivating.